Steve's POV:
I don't sleep much. I'm pleased Charlie has been able to. Throughout the night she continued to snuggle closer to me. She brings me comfort, something I haven't felt in a long time. There's an odd warmth and innocence about her that I find intoxicating. I want her close to me at all times, especially after Lagos. I can't lose her too. I must protect her, even Sam feels the need to keep her safe, more so in my absence. She stirs a bit in her sleep and I look down, it's still early, 5:30 in the morning. Her eyes don't move, but her hand absentmindedly moves on my stomach, I steady myself not wanting to wake her or the impending conversation about my message and quick departure. I wrap my arm around her pulling her closer, I need her. She buries her face deeper into my chest. Her deep brunette hair is all disheveled, I bring my face to the top of her head, inhaling her sweet scent, my movement makes her pause, her fingers gentle movements stop.
"Steve?" Her hazel eyes peak up at me through her lashes. "Hmm?" I mumble down to her. "Thank you for not leaving me."
"I don't plan on leaving you ever again." She sweetly smiles up at me. "Go back to sleep, princess, it's still early." The sun hasn't even risen yet. She shakes her head no and kisses my cheek. Her hand wanders under the covers, getting closer to my dick. I grab her hand before it gets too low. "Not yet, Charlie. I know you have to be sore. I shouldn't have asked you to do that last night." My mind wanders, how am I ever going to tell her about Peggy? I'm sure she doesn't want to hear about my old, older, love.
She gives me a coy pout, "But I need you Captain." She smiles back up at me. She knows exactly what she's doing. I bring my body down on the bed to meet her eye level and lightly kiss her lips. Her hands pull my head closer to her, lacing her fingers through my hair. Her mouth releases a soft whisper of a moan, and I can't help but intensify our kisses. I shift my body to hover over her. Immediately my cock becomes rock hard, I don't want to hurt my princess, but she pulls my hips closer to her, she knows I'm ready. "Please, Captain." She whispers into my mouth. I pull away from her lips and move to her neck, leaving her soft kisses, her hands continue to pull my hips closer to her, I'm not easy to move. I continue to teasingly kiss her neck and move down her collar bone, peppering soft kisses all down her body, until my body is at the bottom of the bed. I look up at her, her eyes haven't left my face. I smile back up at her before heatedly spreading her legs and bending them. I breathe deeply at her dripping pussy. Her breathing becomes deeper as her hands again grab my head; she actually thinks she can force me closer. I chuckle up at her, causing Charlie to shiver.
"Not yet, princess." She leverages her body to try and tilt herself closer to my mouth, I'm not giving in. Tilting my head to the side I begin peppering kisses along her thighs, before coming back center at her pussy. She's beautiful. I finally lower my head to begin tasting her sweet honey. She lets out a soft moan before massaging my scalp with her fingers, still wanting me closer to her pussy. I inhale, using my tongue to gently massage her clit, looking up at her, enjoying her pleasure. I bring my fingers to her mound before burrowing two in. Her body stiffens. Still clearly sore. I keep my movements slow wanting to keep her comfortable. "Captain, I want to cum." Her hips rock closer to me, and I know she's ok with me being more forceful. Looking back up at her, she's completely elated. I did this to her. I smile and give a gentle nibble to her clit, she inhales deeply. Her thighs shake. I curve my fingers slightly to find the spot, I know I've found it when her head shoots up to the ceiling, eyes wide. I continue to roughly caress the inside of her walls. I feel she's close. Her breathing becomes ragged and her thighs attempt to close in on my head, she lets out a soft yelp. Her nails tense on my head as she screams out, "Captain!"
I let her ride out her climax, slowing my pace. My gaze returns to her face as she peers down at me, eyes lazy, I start a steady crawl over her body before she forcefully pulls my arms towards her. "Greedy little one, aren't you? Does my princess want to cum again?" I sneer down at her.
She nods her head and whispers, "Yes, Captain." I crash my lips onto hers. Immediately she opens her mouth allowing my tongue entrance. She hums in my mouth, "Now you can taste what I taste." I smile in the kiss. I steady my body allowing myself entrance, she uses her hand to guide my engorged cock to her dripping wet pussy. I moan before quickly entering her core before pulling completely back out. She bites at my lip a bit before I repeat myself. "Steve..." she starts to respond.
"I...am...your...Captain." I growl down at her.
Looking back up at me with an evil grin, "I wish my Captain would fuck me." I look down at my perfect princess, biting my lip, I brace myself and allow her pussy to wrap around my cock, having no intentions of fully pulling back out. I tunnel into her, pumping in and out. I'm completely mesmerized by her face. Her lips red and swollen from our kissing. She innocently smiles up at me, although I know she's not that innocent. I lift her legs to rest on my chest and shoulders as I burrow even deeper into her, her hands move to her breasts as she begins twisting and squeezing her nipples. We're both close. I feel her walls tighten around my shaft. I quicken my pace before completely releasing, milliseconds later Charlie's eyes roll to the back of her head as she releases. I don't remove myself, just stare down at her as she returns her gaze to my eyes. We continue our lust filled stare, breathing deeply before I remove myself from her and walk to the bathroom to clean my princess up.
As I'm cleaning her up I look down at her, "Do you want to get you some more rest?" We'll be leaving soon, she doesn't know, I haven't been able to tell her. She shakes her head no. "Let's go have some breakfast then."
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Charlie's POV
Steve helps me get dressed before wrapping a towel around himself and jogging to his room to get clean clothes. He comes back fully dressed and grabs for my hand to guide me to the kitchen. I smell the bittersweet scent of coffee and go to poor me a mug, grabbing the cream out of the fridge and some sugar, before making my coffee just right.
"One cannot live on coffee alone. What are you going to eat?" Steve teasingly asks me.
Sam comes into the kitchen, "I brought bagels." I smile at him before grabbing a bagel and putting some smear on it. I walk over to the bar before jumping up onto a stool and wincing at the movement. Sam smirks over at me shaking his head. "That rough, huh?" He looks over to Steve elbowing him gently. Steve smiles and looks at the ground. "So, you love birds talk yet?" Steve shakes his head. "Okay, I'm going to go then. Charlie, I'll see you in a bit." He grabs his bagel and walks towards the rooms.
"Steve, what's going on?" My eyes try to search his handsome features.
"That text I got yesterday." He pauses, slowly breathing. "I lost someone." I start to get up to walk over to him. He puts his hands up to tell me to stop. I comply. He walks over to the stool next to me and turns our bodies to face one another. "It was Peggy. Peggy Carter. She passed in her sleep. I'm going, we're going..." he uses his hand to gesture I'm going with him. "to London for the funeral." I nod my head unsure how to respond. I know who Peggy Carter is, more so I know who she was to Steve. His first love. Someone who knew him before he was Captain America. I move my hand to rest on his thigh, he doesn't move it so I know it's ok. "I'm sorry, I should have told you sooner. I just didn't know how to with mine and Peggy's relationship. And mine and yours. This doesn't happen to normal people. I should physically be as old as she is."
"Steve we're friends." With benefits. For now. "You can tell me anything. And I want to be with you. Whether it's good, bad, awkward, and sometimes hot." I give him a slight flirty smile. "But I want to be there with you. I trust you, Steve. Where you go, I go. You're stuck with me now."
He smiles down at me, "Thank you, let's get packed."
"Can I go tell Tony where we're going?" I sheepishly ask. His mouth tenses only for a bit before he relaxes and nods his head. He's still angry with Tony. I give him a quick peck on his lips. "I'll be back in a minute. When are we leaving?"
"This afternoon. Sam's going too." He pulls me in closer and gives me a sweet kiss, wrapping his arm around my waist, and then walks away.
I set on my journey to find Tony before I realize we have F.R.I.D.A.Y. "F.R.I.D.A.Y. where's Mr. Stark?"
"Mr. Stark is in his office. Do you want me to tell him you're coming?"
"Yes, please." I make my way into Tony's office. I see his head bent over the Accords, hands rubbing his temples, he's stressed. "Hey Tony." He quickly looks up and gives me a forced smile, motioning me to sit in one of the chairs in front of him.
"Did you finally talk with Capsicle?" I nod my head. "What was all that about?"
"Peggy Carter passed." I answer flatly looking down at his desk and begin tracing circles with my finger.
"How do you feel about that?"
"I'm sad for Steve. He loved her." My eyes never meet Tony's but I can feel his not moving from my face.
"What about you?"
"I'm going with him to London, for her funeral."
"So just like that, you're leaving us?" My eyes meet his. There is sadness there. He already feels everyone falling apart, we're no longer the happy family. These Accords have put a rift in the Avengers and the line has clearly been drawn on where the allegiance stands between everyone.
"It's not forever."
"You haven't signed."
"Have you?" He shakes his head no. "But you're going to?" He takes a deep breath thinking heavily about the question.
"We don't have a choice." He flatly responds.
"So, you feel it's either sign or retire?"
"Ross made that perfectly clear, Charlie."
"I don't think it's that easy. What if we could talk about what is in the Accords? Change some things. Make it suitable for us, for everyone."
"117 countries have agreed to the Accords. It's not that simple. Don't make a mistake and follow him. I know you...love him...but does he love you enough to keep you out of trouble?"
I scoff at Tony, "When has Tony Stark ever stayed out of trouble? I don't want to leave on bad terms with you. You've been like my second, well, third dad. But I can't do what you're asking me to do."
"But you're going to do what Steve asks you to do?"
"He didn't ask me to. This is my decision. Do you honestly think Steve would hurt me?"
"Not intentionally." I start to respond. "You've never been on a mission and you're being forced to choose. Sign or retire from something that never involved you. Charlie, I'm sorry, I truly am. I didn't foresee this. Any of this, least likely you falling for Steve." I remove my eyes from him. "But I also don't want you leaving the country mad at me." He looks over the table at me, calling a truce. "Keep in touch. And I'm always here."
"Does that mean I get to hug you now?" I smile at him.
"No. Never." He reaches out his hand to shake mine. "Take care of yourself. I'll see you when you get back."
"This isn't goodbye forever, Tony. I'll be back." He nods his head and shoos me out the door.
"Charlie, protect yourself. Don't let Steve make you do something you don't want to."
"I won't." I call back
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Sam walks beside me into the church, we find a seat at the front, leaving a space for Steve. He's carrying the casket in. Sam squeezes my knee a bit. "Are you ok?"
I look over to him and nod. "Don't worry about me. Let's focus on Steve."
"I was referring about leaving the compound. But since you brought it up..."
"Sam, he loved her. She was his past."
"And you're hoping to be the future?"
"I'm hoping to be a friend. To you as well."
"I don't get the same benefits as Steve." He whispers.
"Not now, Sam." He shakes his head. The music starts and I tense, not wanting to see the pain on Steve's face. He's in front carrying the casket. His eyes brimming with tears, face like stone looking forwards. Once they set the casket down, he comes to sit by me and Sam. I quickly rest my hand on his thigh, letting him know I'm here and not going anywhere. Steve's eyes move up to the picture up front. Peggy in her uniform. The way Steve remembers her best. She's beautiful. Strong and kind. Even with a black and white photo you can see she was a good woman. And she loved Steve. My Captain.
"And now, I would like to invite Sharon Carter to come up and say a few words." The preacher steps aside from the podium and a woman with blonde hair makes her way to the front. Sam moves his arm around me. I feel his hand wiggle a bit, tapping Steve's shoulder. Steve looks over to Sam, and he gestures with his head to look up at the podium. When Steve does, he gets a shocked look. He knows her. He uses his elbow to push my arm off his thigh. Wait what? I look back up at Sharon Carter. She's looking straight at Steve. Who is this woman?
"Margaret Carter was known to most as a founder of S.H.I.E.L.D... but I just knew her as Aunt Peggy." Steve tenses up. Sam looks over to Steve exhaling slowly, and looking over at me, and he places his hand on my knee, not removing it. So, this is Peggy's niece, and who is she to Steve. I can't compete with two Carter's. "She had a photograph in her office. Aunt Peggy standing next to JFK. As a kid, that was pretty cool. But it was a lot to live up to. Which is why I never told anyone we were related." Steve huffs and looks down, glancing at Sam's hand resting on my knee. My eyes have focused out to the front of me. I can't look at him, Sam, or her. Who is she?
"I asked her once how she managed to master diplomacy and espionage..." Steve returns his gaze back up to her. "in a time when no one wanted to see a woman succeed at either. And she said, 'Compromise where you can. But where you can't, don't. Even if everyone is telling you that something wrong is something right. Even if the whole world is telling you to move...it is your duty to plant yourself like a tree...look them in the eye and say No, you move.' " Steve and Sharon share a staring moment with one another. I shift in my seat, causing him to look back down at me and sigh. Sharon walks back to her seat. Steve places his hand on my other thigh that Sam's hand isn't resting on. The ceremony is over and I push it off and stand up, asking Sam to join me. "We'll see you in a bit." I tell Steve flatly. I walk out of the church, leaving Steve alone to think. Sam takes us to the room where we're staying.
I collapse on the bed. The bed that Steve and I were supposed to be sharing. I look around and get up to change my clothes. I don't want to be in this dress anymore. "You wanna talk about it?" Sam asks.
"No." I respond quietly.
"It's complicated."
I turn to look at Sam. I'm angry he's wanting me to continue down this path, so I take the bait. "Explain it then."
"Steve should be the one to do that."
"Steve shouldn't have been the one to push my hand off of him when he seen her." My voice is seething with the anger and hurt building up in my chest. "You know what Sam? No, Steve and I are friends."
"With benefits." He looks at me shaking his head. For now.
"I want to be there for him, but he has to allow me to be there for him. Who is she." I ask. "Like who is she to him?"
"I don't really know."
"They had a thing then?"
"I don't know. If it makes you feel any better, he didn't have what he has with you." I scoff at him. "You get in a complicated relationship Charlie, and you end up with more complications."
"We don't have time to date." I respond.
"Oh. That's what it is. You want to date Steve, but you don't have time. So, you what, just fuck then?" I start to respond. "Charlie, I'm not judging you and Steve. But you can't be angry with him when YOU agreed to being friends with benefits. Steve, he's lost in this modern world sometimes. But he needs you, more than you think he does. Don't be too angry with him. He just lost his first love. He's realized a girl he was somewhat interested in is her niece. And he feels guilty for getting you involved in not signing the Accords."
"It's my decision to not sign."
"He didn't influence that decision?" I shake my head no.
"Sam, I agree with Tony there needs to be stipulations concerning the Avengers." He looks at me shocked. "You don't agree that it seems there's no consequences for our actions?" He looks away but nods. "But these Accords? They're wrong. I also don't think it should be sign or retire, and if not you're a fugitive. That's bullshit. But I don't regret my decision not to sign. I trust myself, you, and mostly Steve."
"Trust him concerning what happened today. It's not easy for him, dealing with all this."
I grimace at Sam and go into the bathroom to change. He's right, I can't be angry with Steve. We both agreed to friends with benefits. For now.
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Steve's POV
I stand in the church alone, gazing around, lost in my thoughts. Peggy's gone. Sharon is Peggy's niece. I hurt Charlie. I'm not sure what exactly hurt Charlie, or if it's this overall situation that's what has made her uncomfortable. I want to go to the room to see her. To hold her, but there's something keeping me here. The memory of Peggy. I know Sam will keep her safe.
I hear footsteps and turn to look in that direction. Natasha. I lean back onto one of the pews as she continues her ascent to me. "When I came out of the ice, I thought everyone I had known was gone. Then I found out she was alive. I was just lucky to have her."
"She had you back, too." Nat smiles over to me.
I nod my head, but I don't want to talk about this anymore, "Who else signed?"
"Tony, Rhodey, Vision."
"Clint?"
"He still says he's retired. He won't get involved."
"Even for Charlie?" Nat nods her head. "Wanda?"
"TBD. I'm off to Vienna for the signing of the Accords. There's plenty of room on the jet." I sigh and look down at the floor. I'm not signing. "Just because it's the path of least resistance...doesn't mean it's the wrong path. Staying together is more important than how we stay together."
"What are we giving up to do it?" I clench my jaw, afraid of Nat's answer. She sighs, her gaze never leaving my face. I can't look at her anymore, shaking my head I look back at the floor, "I'm sorry, Nat. I can't sign it."
"I know." She searches my face with sadness.
"Then what are you doing here?"
"I didn't want you to be alone." She comes to me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders to hug me. "Come here." I return the hug. We pull apart and she looks down and back up at my face. "Sam and Charlie?"
"They're at the room."
"You know she's changing her life for you Steve. Don't forget you have someone real and alive right in front of you. Protect her."
"That's what I intend to do."